MADISON, Wis. – In a dual that had plenty of momentum swings, the Wisconsin women's tennis team fought until the bitter end. Unfortunately, the Badgers' resilient effort fell short, dropping a 6-1 decision to Indiana.

From the start, doubles action proved difficult. At the No. 3 position, Indiana's Caitlin Bernard and Pauline Jahren teamed up to defeat Sydney Rider and Christina Zordani, 6-2. The No. 1 doubles team of Maria Avgerinos and Kelsey Grambeau also fell to Madison Appel and Kim Schmider, which conceded the doubles point to Indiana.

After losing the doubles point, UW went into singles play looking to change momentum.

In the top singles match, the Badgers excelled, starting with Maria Avgerinos cruising to a 6-4, 6-1 victory over Indiana's Madison Appel.

After Badger losses on courts one and three, Christina Zordani tried to keep spirits high, keeping close to Indiana's Pauline Jahren. Despite her improved play, she fell 6-4, 6-4.

Kelsey Grambeau also tried to keep Wisconsin alive late in the match, taking IU's Paula Gutierrez to a three-setter. After falling 6-2 in the first set, Grambeau brought the heat and clinched the second set, 6-4. However, her efforts were outmatched in the third set, falling 7-5.   

The Badgers host their last dual match of the season on Sunday, April 16 at Nielsen. Wisconsin begins play against Purdue at 11 a.m. (CT).

Results

Indiana 6 – Wisconsin 1 

Singles:

1. Maria Avgerinos (WIS) def. Madison Appel (IU), 6-4, 6-1
2. Paula Gutierrez (IU) def. Kelsey Grambeau (WIS), 6-2, 4-6, 7-5
3. Caitlin Bernard (IU) def. Michelle Linden (WIS), 6-2, 6-3
4. Natalie Whalen (IU) def. Sydney Rider (WIS), 6-1, 6-0
5. Kim Schmider (IU) def. Melissa Pick (WIS), 4-6, 6-2, 1-0 (6)
6. Pauline Jahren (IU) def. Christina Zordani (WIS), 6-4, 6-4

Doubles:

1. Appel/Schmider (IU) def. Grambeau/Avgerinos (WIS), 6-3
2. Whalen/Gutierrez (IU) vs. Linden/Pick (WIS), 4-3 (unfinished)
3. Bernard/Jahren (IU) def. Zordani/Rider (WIS), 6-2